Live Here - St. Joseph is carefully nestled on the southern tip of what has been termed "The Riviera of the Midwest." This deepwater port town is a growing resort community – The lakeshore is peppered with remarkable sand dune formations and lined further inland with a lush countryside that produces some of the nation's finest orchards and vineyards.

2009 Report on Lake Boulevard Bluff Evaluation

A study was conducted by Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. in mid-July, 2009. This evaluation consisted of the existing coastal bluff along Lake Boulevard between Park Street and Water Street. To read the report in its entirety, please click here.

Crime Prevention Information Line - Call (269) 985-0300 to hear how you can help yourself and your neighborhood avoid becoming a victim of various crimes that have occurred in our City. Seasonal crime prevention and safety tips are also given out on this line which is updated several times a month.

The St. Joseph Fire Department and/or the St. Joseph Water Department periodically flow fire hydrants to check the function of the hydrants, to evaluate the firefighting water available from each hydrant, to monitor the condition of the water system, and to remove rust and other sediment from the water distribution system.

Work Here - St. Joseph has become well known for its beautiful location along Lake Michigan, its quality public school system, its health care system, its beaches, parks, and other natural amenities. The presence of many large corporations causes the city's population to triple during the average workday.

Cornerstone AllianceCornerstone Alliance leads business retention and expansion efforts throughout all of Berrien County, helping local businesses stay and grow here; and support issues that enhance our area's economic competitiveness. Cornerstone Alliance leads initiatives to attract new investment and new companies to Michigan's Great Southwest and works to grow entrepreneurial businesses; offering a full range of start-up and early growth services. Founded in 1987, Cornerstone Alliance is an economic development organization supported by investments from the private and public sectors, serving Berrien County and its municipalities. The dedicated business development team experts are ready to work with you on your next project.

Cornerstone Chamber of CommerceCornerstone Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization encouraging the growth of business through networking, advocacy, visibility and benefits for all of our members.

Michigan Small Business Development CenterThe Michigan Small Business Development Center provides counseling, training, research and advocacy for start-ups, existing small businesses and innovative tech companies. Counselors provide support and a planning tool to help evaluate the direction of your technology, chart strategies and more. Check out their Guide to Starting and Operating a Small Business.

St. Joseph TodaySt. Joseph Today is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1979. With a mission to enhance the image and recognition of St. Joseph, Michigan, promote business and tourism development and to augment the effort of local governmental units. We are dedicated to serving visitors, residents and local businesses.

Contact St. Joseph Today if you are interested in the Farmers Market or participating in any of the other programs put on by the agency.Southwest Michigan Tourist Council

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)The MEDC organization works to be “helpful in the marketing of Michigan and providing the tools and environment to drive job creation and investment. The MEDC helps create more and better jobs by accelerating business investments, increasing community vitality, matching talent supply with demand, and building the state’s exceptional Pure Michigan Brand.” Their website will help provide information for all aspects of your business.

All rental property registrations and inspections are managed by the Inspections Department. If you have any questions regarding Zoning or Planning in the City of St. Joseph please visit the Zoning Department's webpage. If you have still any further questions regarding rental property, please contact the Inspections Department using the contact information located on their webpage and we will be happy to address your concerns.

Other Links

Play Here - Looking for something fun to do? St. Joseph has it all with an abundance of parks and recreational facilities that cater to a variety of enthusiasts' tastes. Set out for an afternoon of fishing, laze on one of our many beaches, take a stroll along picturesque trails, or hit the skate park. Whatever you're after, you'll find it here.

St. Joseph Municipal Band

The City of St. Joseph offers municipal band concerts every Sunday throughout the summer months. Conveniently located downtown at Port Street and Lake Boulevard, the municipal band concerts take place at the John E. N. Howard Band Shell. Its namesake, John Howard, was conductor of the municipal band beginning in 1948 through 1987; also, he was the St. Joseph High School band director until he retired in 1963.

Recreational programs including the Summer Recreational Program and the Summer Tennis program are managed by the Parks Department. If you visit the Parks Department, you will find relevant forms for registration for and information about these programs.

St. Joseph, known for its abundant natural resources and great picturesque landscapes, makes a wonderful place to get married. St. Joseph has been nationally acclaimed as "Michigan's Most Romantic City" by the Detroit Free Press and the "Riviera of the Midwest" by the Fine Living Channel.

Other Links

Government - St. Joseph's prosperity depends on each of its citizens taking an active role in making our town a special place on the lake. Find out more about what's going on with the City Commission, take a look at City Commission agendas, catch up on the latest City notices, announcements or ordinances, and view local election information.

Elections & Voting

Any United States citizen who is at least 18 years of age by the date of the next election and who is a resident of the State of Michigan and the City of St. Joseph may register to vote in the City of St. Joseph by completing a Voter Registration Application.

You can register to vote at any Secretary of State Branch office, the County Clerk's Office, or the St. Joseph City Clerk's Office. If you are unable to go to any of these offices to register, please contact your local Clerk at (269) 983-6325.

If you are registered to vote and have moved or changed your name, you must contact your local Clerk's office to ensure that your registration is correct. Voters who have registered at least 30 days prior to an election may exercise their right to vote by appearing at the polls on Election Day or by obtaining an absent voter ballot.

Elections

Michigan Election Law provides that elections must be held on only four (4) predetermined dates throughout the year:

Each year, the St. Joseph City Commission appoints citizens who express an interest in serving on the numerous boards, commissions and committees that are so vital in helping shape the future of the City of St. Joseph.

If you have a willingness to voluntarily serve your Community in this capacity and have a particular interest or knowledge in any of the following areas, you may wish to contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application to seek an appointment. Questionnaires are also available for those members seeking re-appointment to a City board, commission or committee.

This provides a link to all legislation received by Municipal Code since the last update (printed or electronic) to the Code of Ordinances. This legislation has been enacted, but has not yet been codified. Each piece of legislation, where applicable, is also linked to the portion of the Code that it affects.

The Purchase section is a list of FAQs under the How Do I? heading that would start with the phrase "How do I purchase...?". Listed below you will find links of these FAQs that will redirect you to the area of the website with the answer to your question. If you have any further concerns or questions about this particular section or the questions it contains, please feel free to contact the City online or call the Clerk's Office at (269)-983-6325.

The File section is a list of FAQs under the How Do I? heading that would start with the phrase "How do I file...?". Listed below you will find links of these FAQs that will redirect you to the area of the website with the answer to your question. If you have any further concerns or questions about this particular section or the questions it contains please feel free to contact the City (269-983-5541) and we will be happy to assist you.

The Report section is a list of FAQs under the How Do I? heading that would start with the phrase "How do I report...?". Listed below you will find links of these FAQs that will redirect you to the area of the website with the answer to your question. If you have any further concerns or questions about this particular section or the questions it contains please feel free to contact the City (269-983-5541) and we will be happy to assist you.

Public Notice: City of St. Joseph Employees' Retirement System

Please be advised that there will be a Special Meeting of the Employees' Reitrement System Board on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 10 a.m. in the City Commission Chambers. To view the Public Notice, click on it.

Aug 2,2018

Job Opening for Public Safety Officer

The City of St. Joseph is accepting resumes for the position of Public Safety Officer.

It is important for residents to educate themselves regarding House Bill 4503 and Senate Bill 329. Please click on information from the Michigan Municipal League and others through a Letter and Press Release explaining the effect these two bills will have on our community.

Park Passes | Parks

Park Pass

Prior to 2018, city residents and visitors were required to place a parking sticker in a prominent place on their vehicle in order to be exempt from daily parking fees at Tiscornia Park, Lions Park and the Elm Street lot (south of the Whirlpool Compass Fountain). Beginning this year, stickers will no longer be required.

The new parking meter system allows state-of-the-art equipment to monitor parking areas by scanning your license plate. The scanners installed on a police cruiser will read your plate number and alert the officer whether your vehicle is registered to park there. If not, you will receive a ticket.

For city residents, you will need to register your license plate number(s) at City Hall. As in past years, city residents may receive up to two annual parking exemptions at no charge, but registering your license plate number is now necessary. How do you, a city resident, register to receive your annual parking exemption? Simply by visiting the Clerk’s counter at City Hall between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and bringing your driver’s license and license plate number(s) so that it can be entered into the system. If a city household has more than two vehicles they wish to register, they may do so, still at no charge and by following the steps above. You must show your registration for each vehicle you wish registered as verification that it is registered to your household.

Non-residents are required to utilize the Park and Pay System onsite at the parks, by cash (paper bills only) or credit card. For recurring visitors, it may be beneficial for them to download the Passport App (www.ppprk.com), which allows them to pay for a parking space using their phones in advance, even before arriving in St. Joseph. This App lists zone numbers for each of the city’s daily pay-to-park lots, which users enter along with their license plate number. This system has the capacity to alert those using hourly parking that their time is almost up, which they can extend by simply using their cell phones. Visitors will receive a text message when they pay for their parking through the Passport application.

At the parking meter machine, visitors will be given an option to pay for the entire season, at a cost of $40.00, or may prefer paying a daily fee. Daily parking fees, between May 20 and September 10, will be $7 weekdays and $10 on weekends. In the offseason, the fee will be $5 weekdays and $7 on weekends. Additionally, for the first time, the lots will offer hourly parking, at $3 an hour during the summer season and $2 in the offseason.

These annual permits exempt you from daily parking fees ($7 weekdays/$10 weekends) at Lions Park, Tiscornia Park and the Elm Street lot (located south of the Whirlpool Compass Fountain). For City residents only, to obtain an annual permit, simply visit the City Clerk's Office with your driver's license for residency verification. All parking permit stickers must be permanently affixed to the outside of your vehicle on the passenger side of the rear window.

City Boat Launch Pass

An exception to the new 2018 system setup involves parking at the City Boat Launch, where a sticker will continue to be required. Parking permits for the City Boat Launch are also available for sale at the City Clerk's Office each year beginning April 1 for a small fee. These annual permits exempt you from daily parking fees at the City Boat Launch. To obtain an annual permit, simply visit the City Clerk's Office. Parking passes must be permanently affixed to the lower corner of your vehicle's driver side window.